Enzyme-functionalised nanobeads for anti-biofouling purposes

Abstract

A composition comprising a silica-based nanobead having its surface functionalized by a moiety selected from moieties that are reactive to and combine with a fouling layer on a material surface.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A recyclable composition for use in treating a fouling layer present on a material surface, the composition comprising a surface-functionalised, silica-based nanobead, wherein the surface is functionalised by a first moiety, the first moiety being an active enzyme selected from Proteinase K, an aldehyde oxidoreductase, a monooxygenase, bile salt-dependent lipase, phospholipase A, phospholipase C, and a DNAse. 
     
     
       2. A recyclable composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the silica-based nanobead has an active enzyme coating with a specific reactivity to the fouling layer. 
     
     
       3. A recyclable composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the silica-based nanobead is comprised of silicon and an organic-based linker composed by carbon, oxygen and nitrogen. 
     
     
       4. A recyclable composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the silica-based nanobead is further functionalized with a second moiety, the second moiety being an active enzyme. 
     
     
       5. A recyclable composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the active enzyme is Proteinase K. 
     
     
       6. A recyclable composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the silica-based nanobead includes silicon and an organic-based linker containing carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen. 
     
     
       7. A recyclable composition according to  claim 6 , wherein the silica-based nanobead consists of silicon, carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen. 
     
     
       8. A recyclable composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the silica-based nanobead is spherical or substantially spherical. 
     
     
       9. A recyclable composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the composition is water-soluble. 
     
     
       10. A method for removing a fouling layer present on a material surface, the method comprising the steps of:
 adding a sufficient quantity of a silica-based nanobead composition comprising the surface-functionalised, silica-based nanobead of  claim 1  to the material surface; 
 incubating the silica-based nanobead composition and fouling layer on the material surface for a sufficient period of time for the composition and fouling layer present on the material surface to interact for treatment; and 
 separating and removing the silica-based nanobead composition from the treated fouling layer on the material surface following the incubation step. 
 
     
     
       11. A method according to  claim 10 , wherein the separation step is selected from filtration, centrifugation, electrostatic separation and gravimetric precipitation. 
     
     
       12. A method according to  claim 10 , wherein the incubation step is performed for between 2 hours to 72 hours. 
     
     
       13. A method according to  claim 10 , wherein the silica-based nanobead composition is recycled following the separation step for use in the addition and incubation steps. 
     
     
       14. A method according to  claim 10 , wherein the silica-based nanobead composition is recycled following the separation step for use in the addition and incubation steps, and wherein the recycled silica-based nanobead composition is reintroduced to the addition step. 
     
     
       15. A kit for removing a fouling layer from a material surface, the kit comprising a recyclable composition comprising a surface-functionalised, silica-based nanobead, wherein the surface is functionalised by a moiety, the moiety being an active enzyme selected from Proteinase K, an aldehyde oxidoreductase, a monooxygenase, bile salt-dependent lipase, phospholipase A, phospholipase C, and a DNAse.